Grammar School Principal

Arcadia Education•New Castle, DE

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Delaware Valley Classical School is a K–12 classical Christian school of about 225 students in New Castle, Delaware, with a 32-year heritage. The Westminster Confession and Catechisms summarize the school's doctrine, though its families come from Presbyterian, Baptist, Catholic, Orthodox, Coptic, and non-denominational churches. In the grammar school, students learn phonics, grammar, history, and math facts through song and motion, write in cursive, begin Latin in 3rd grade, practice public speaking, and spend a phone-free day with limited technology. Older students disciple the younger ones, and singing is taught as preparation for worship, which is how each school day begins. The Grammar School Principal leads kindergarten through 6th grade. The current principal is retiring after a long tenure at the school, and her successor will inherit an experienced, stable faculty that includes several alumni. The next principal will guide the grammar school through its current season of curricular work, coach teachers in classical pedagogy, and help families understand how a classical education forms their children's souls and deepens their love for Christ.

Requirements

Experience as a school principal or in a similar leadership role.
Experience coaching teachers.
Familiarity with classical pedagogy.
Experience with curriculum development and stewardship.
Understanding of academic effectiveness and measurable growth.
Experience with student discipline and classroom management.
Ability to partner with and educate parents.
Strong leadership skills.
Ability to maintain mission continuity.
Experience with K–6 curriculum, including phonics, grammar, history, math, cursive writing, and Latin.
Familiarity with the Westminster Confession and Catechisms.
Experience with public speaking practice.
Understanding of the role of technology in education.
Experience with Socratic discussion.
Familiarity with CLT data and ACCS re-accreditation standards.
Ability to handle routine student discipline.
Ability to handle admissions testing and communicate results.
Ability to manage grammar school parent communication and education programming.

Nice To Haves

Experience as an alumnus of the school.
Experience with team-taught grade models (e.g., 5th/6th grade).
Experience with the 6th-to-7th grade transition, especially in mathematics.
Experience with shared teachers in Latin, humanities, and music.
Experience with morning drop-off procedures.

Responsibilities

Observe, coach, and foster growth in every grammar school teacher.
Ensure consistent practice of classical pedagogy, including age-appropriate Socratic discussion.
Guide teachers in understanding and implementing classical education principles.
Oversee and execute the grammar school's curricular renewal process.
Master adopted programs and train teachers in person.
Conduct an honest evaluation of the mathematics curriculum.
Strengthen the K–6 scope and sequence in Latin, reading, and writing.
Implement a mission-consistent framework for using CLT data to evaluate effectiveness.
Ensure student discipline is soul-shaping, consistent, and handled appropriately.
Equip teachers to act as lead shepherds of their classrooms.
Establish clear standards for handling classroom issues.
Strengthen teacher authority.
Ensure students are encouraged, corrected when necessary, and known.
Ensure families feel their children are cared for, academically and spiritually.
Ensure narrative reports are timely and substantive.
Address concerns in real time.
Conduct parent education nights to explain the school's educational approach.
Maintain strong grammar school re-enrollment.
Guard and pass on the grammar school's mission-rich culture of worship, song, and shared vision.
Act as a trusted second-in-command to the Head of School.